Amplifier selection device, amplifier selection method, and computer-readable storage medium having power source capacity display function

ABSTRACT

An amplifier selection device includes: a storage means for storing a database containing information pertaining to motor models, amplifier capacities and feature amounts; a means that obtain information of motor models necessary to configure a desired system; a means that calculate a number of necessary amplifiers; a means that select spindle amplifiers; a means that create a combination of servo amplifiers for each spindle amplifier; a means that extract information pertaining to the feature amounts by referring to the database; a means that determine a combination on a basis of the information pertaining to the feature amounts; a power source capacity calculation means that calculate capacities of a main power source and a control power source by referring to the database; and a display control means that display the combination of amplifiers along with the main power source and control power source capacities.

This application is a new U.S. patent application that claims benefit ofJP 2017-179493 filed on Sep. 19, 2017, the content of JP 2017-179493 isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an amplifier selection device, anamplifier selection method, and a computer-readable storage medium, andparticularly relates to an amplifier selection device, an amplifierselection method, and a computer-readable storage medium having a powersource capacity display function.

2. Description of the Related Art

A servo system selection device which selects a servo system, the systemincluding a motor used in a machine and an amplifier that drives themotor, is known (e.g., Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai)No. JP 2011-166953 A). The servo system selection device according tothis related art includes: an input section that inputs machineinformation, machine operating information, and servo system informationof at least one servo system being subjected to selection; a calculatingsection that calculates a power consumed by the servo system, when amachine is operated on the basis of the machine operating informationinputted to the input section, by using machine information and theservo system information, and at least one of a total consumed poweramount, a total loss, and a power efficiency for each servo systeminputted to the input section; and a first output section that displaysor outputs at least one of the total consumed power amount, the totalloss, and the power efficiency calculated by the calculating section,for each servo system inputted to the input section.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, the related art has a problem in that when focusing on the sizeof the amplifiers, the consumed power, costs, etc., selecting theoptimal amplifier from among many different types of amplifiers isdifficult and time-consuming.

An amplifier selection device according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure includes: motor model storage means for storing a databasecontaining a plurality of motor models expressing types of motorsincluding servo motors and spindle motors along with informationpertaining to an amplifier capacity and a feature amount for each of themotor models; motor model information obtainment means configured toobtain information pertaining to the motor models selected for each ofthe spindle motors and the servo motors that drive respective spindleaxes and servo axes necessary to configure a desired system; amplifiernumber calculation means configured to calculate necessary numbers ofeach spindle amplifier and servo amplifier for each amplifier capacityby referring to the database and extracting information pertaining tothe amplifier capacities of the selected motor models; spindle amplifierselection means configured to select spindle amplifiers to drive thespindle motors on a basis of the amplifier capacities and number ofspindle motors; combination creation means configured to create acombination of servo amplifiers corresponding to the necessary amplifiercapacities and numbers, for each selected spindle amplifier; featureamount extraction means configured to extract information pertaining toa feature amount of each created combination of spindle amplifiers andservo amplifiers by referring to the database; amplifier determinationmeans configured to determine a combination of spindle amplifiers andservo amplifiers on a basis of the extracted information pertaining tothe feature amounts; power source capacity calculation means configuredto calculate a capacity of a main power source necessary for driving themotors and a capacity of a control power source necessary for drivingthe spindle amplifiers and the servo amplifiers by referring to thedatabase; and display control means configured to display thecombination of spindle amplifiers and servo amplifiers selected by theamplifier determination means, and display the main power sourcecapacity and the control power source capacity calculated by the powersource capacity calculation means.

An amplifier selection method according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure includes: preparing a database containing a plurality ofmotor models expressing types of motors including servo motors andspindle motors along with information pertaining to an amplifiercapacity and a feature amount for each of the motor models; obtaininginformation pertaining to the motor models selected for the spindlemotors and the servo motors that drive respective spindle axes and servoaxes needed to configure a desired system; calculating necessary numbersof spindle amplifiers and servo amplifiers for each amplifier capacityby referring to the database and extracting information pertaining tothe amplifier capacities of the selected motor models; selecting spindleamplifiers to drive the spindle motors on a basis of the amplifiercapacities and number of spindle motors; creating a combination ofspindle amplifiers and servo amplifiers corresponding to the necessaryamplifier capacities and numbers, for each selected spindle amplifier;extracting information pertaining to a feature amount of each createdcombination of spindle amplifiers and servo amplifiers by referring tothe database; determining a combination of spindle amplifiers and servoamplifiers on a basis of the extracted information pertaining to thefeature amounts; calculating a capacity of a main power source necessaryfor driving the motors and a capacity of a control power sourcenecessary for driving the spindle amplifiers and the servo amplifiers byreferring to the database; and displaying the selected combination ofspindle amplifiers and servo amplifiers, and displaying the calculatedmain power source capacity and control power source capacity.

A computer-readable storage medium according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure storages an amplifier selection program that causes acomputer to execute: a motor model storage process for storing adatabase containing a plurality of motor models expressing types ofmotors including servo motors and spindle motors along with informationpertaining to an amplifier capacity and a feature amount for each of themotor models; a motor model information obtainment process for obtaininginformation pertaining to the motor models selected for the spindlemotors and the servo motors that drive respective spindle axes and servoaxes needed to configure a desired system; an amplifier numbercalculation process for calculating necessary numbers of spindleamplifiers and servo amplifiers for each amplifier capacity by referringto the database and extracting information pertaining to the amplifiercapacities of the selected motor models; a spindle amplifier selectionprocess for selecting spindle amplifiers to drive the spindle motors ona basis of the amplifier capacities and number of spindle motors; acombination creation process for creating a combination of servoamplifiers corresponding to the necessary amplifier capacities andnumbers, for each selected spindle amplifier; a feature amountextraction process for extracting information pertaining to a featureamount of each created combination of spindle amplifiers and servoamplifiers by referring to the database; an amplifier determinationprocess for determining a combination of spindle amplifiers and servoamplifiers on a basis of the extracted information pertaining to thefeature amounts; a power source capacity calculation process forcalculating a capacity of a main power source necessary for driving themotors and a capacity of a control power source necessary for drivingthe spindle amplifiers and the servo amplifiers by referring to thedatabase; and a display process for displaying the selected combinationof spindle amplifiers and servo amplifiers, and displaying thecalculated main power source capacity and control power source capacity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects, features and advantages of the invention will become moreapparent from the following description of the embodiments in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an amplifier selection deviceaccording to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a function block diagram illustrating the amplifier selectiondevice according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an amplifier selection sequence in anamplifier selection method according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the arrangement of apower source, spindle amplifiers, and servo amplifiers;

FIG. 5 is a table illustrating an example of servo motor and spindlemotor models, along with amplifier capacities, selected for each servoaxis and spindle axis;

FIG. 6 is a table illustrating an example of numbers for each ofamplifier capacities of motors selected for each servo axis and spindleaxis;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of combinations of spindleamplifiers and servo amplifiers capable of driving selected spindlemotors and servo motors;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of total widths ofamplifiers calculated for combinations of spindle amplifiers and servoamplifiers;

FIG. 9 is a table illustrating another example of servo motor andspindle motor models, along with amplifier capacities, selected for eachservo axis and spindle axis;

FIG. 10 is a table illustrating another example of numbers for each ofamplifier capacities of motors selected for each servo axis and spindleaxis;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another example of total widths ofamplifiers calculated for combinations of spindle amplifiers and servoamplifiers; and

FIG. 12 is a function block diagram illustrating an amplifier selectiondevice according to a second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An amplifier selection device, an amplifier selection method, and acomputer-readable storage medium according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure will be described hereinafter with reference to the drawings.Note, however, that the technical scope of the present invention is notlimited to these embodiments, and extends to the invention as disclosedin the scope of the patent claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an amplifier selection deviceaccording to a first embodiment. An amplifier selection device 101includes a computation device (a computer) 11 and a storage device 12.The storage device 12 is a hard disk (HDD), flash memory, etc., forexample, and stores an amplifier selection program according to thefirst embodiment. The computation device 11 executes the amplifierselection program according to the first embodiment, which is stored inthe storage device 12. The amplifier selection device 101 is providedwith an input device 20 and a display device 30. The amplifier selectionprogram may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium.

FIG. 2 is a function block diagram illustrating the amplifier selectiondevice according to the first embodiment. The amplifier selection device101 according to the first embodiment includes a motor model storagemeans 1, a motor model information obtainment means 2, an amplifiernumber calculation means 3, a spindle amplifier selection means 4, acombination creation means 5, a feature amount extraction means 6, anamplifier determination means 7, a power source capacity calculationmeans 8, and a display control means 9. The motor model storage means 1are realized by the storage device 12 illustrated in FIG. 1, and themotor model information obtainment means 2, the amplifier numbercalculation means 3, the spindle amplifier selection means 4, thecombination creation means 5, the feature amount extraction means 6, theamplifier determination means 7, the power source capacity calculationmeans 8, and the display control means 9 are realized by the computationdevice 11 illustrated in FIG. 1.

A keyboard, a mouse, etc., can be used as the input device 20, forexample. A number of servo axes and spindle axes constituting a desiredmachine tool system, and information pertaining to servo motors andspindle motors used for the servo axes and the spindle axes, areinputted to the amplifier selection device 101 through the input device20.

A liquid-crystal display device, an organic EL display device, etc., canbe used as the display device 30. A screen for inputting informationthrough the input device 20, an optimal amplifier combination and powersource capacity determined by the amplifier selection device 101, etc.,are displayed in the display device 30.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an amplifier selection sequence in anamplifier selection method according to the first embodiment.

In step S101, the motor model storage means 1 store a databasecontaining a plurality of motor models expressing types of motorsincluding servo motors and spindle motors along with informationpertaining to an amplifier capacity and a feature amount for each of themotor models (a motor model storage process). The information pertainingto the amplifier capacity can be expressed as a required current, arequired power, etc. The feature amount can include, for example,information pertaining to the size of the amplifier, such as the widthof the amplifier, information pertaining to the power consumed by theamplifier, or information pertaining to the cost, etc., of theamplifier. The information is not limited to these values, however.Information pertaining to a model name of the motor denoted in a specsheet, the specifications of the motor, the feature amount (size,consumed power, cost, etc.) of the motor, a model name of the amplifier,the specifications of the amplifier, and the feature amount (size,consumed power, cost, etc.) of the amplifier may be recorded in thedatabase.

FIG. 4 is an example of the configuration of the machine tool system fordriving the spindle motors and the servo motors. A case where there aretwo spindle axes and three servo axes will be described as an example.In this case, two spindle motors are needed for the two spindle axes.Thus, a first spindle amplifier SP1 and a second spindle amplifier SP2,for driving the respective spindle motors, are connected to a powersource PS. Furthermore, three servo motors are needed for the threeservo axes. Thus, a first servo amplifier SV1, a second servo amplifierSV2, and a third servo amplifier SV3, for driving the respective servomotors, are connected to the power source PS.

When the width of the first spindle amplifier SP1 is represented byd_(SP1), the width of the second spindle amplifier SP2 by d_(SP2), thewidth of the first servo amplifier SV1 by d_(SV1), the width of thesecond servo amplifier SV2 by d_(SV2), and the width of the third servoamplifier SV3 by d_(SV3), a total width d_(Total) of the spindleamplifiers and the servo amplifiers is the total of these values. Thus,when selecting a configuration having a minimum total width for thespindle amplifiers and the servo amplifiers, the values of the widths ofthe spindle amplifiers and the servo amplifiers can be used as thefeature amounts.

Next, in step S102, the motor model information obtainment means 2obtain information pertaining to the motor models selected for each ofthe spindle motors and the servo motors that drive the respectivespindle axes and servo axes necessary to configure the desired system (amotor model information obtainment process).

FIG. 5 is a table illustrating an example of servo motor and spindlemotor models, along with amplifier capacities, selected for each servoaxis and spindle axis. In the example illustrated in FIG. 5, there isone spindle axis (SP) and five servo axes (X-axis to B-axis). “αiS . . .” represents the motor models of the servo motors, whereas “αiI . . . ”represents the motor model of the spindle motor. “20 A” and “40 A”represent the amplifier capacities necessary for driving each of theservo motors, whereas “5.5 kW” represents the amplifier capacitynecessary for driving the spindle motor.

Next, in step S103, the amplifier number calculation means 3 calculatethe necessary numbers of each spindle amplifier and servo amplifier foreach amplifier capacity by referring to the database and extractinginformation pertaining to the amplifier capacities of the selected motormodels (an amplifier number calculation process).

FIG. 6 is a table illustrating an example of numbers for each ofamplifier capacities of motors selected for each servo axis and spindleaxis. The example illustrated in FIG. 6 indicates that, with respect tothe servo motors driving the servo axes, three servo amplifiers havingan amplifier capacity of “20 A” are needed, and two servo amplifiershaving an amplifier capacity of “40 A” are needed. With respect to thespindle motor driving the spindle axis, one spindle amplifier having anamplifier capacity of “5.5 kW” is also needed.

Next, in step S104, the spindle amplifier selection means 4 select thespindle amplifiers to drive the spindle motors on the basis of theamplifier capacities and number of spindle motors (a spindle amplifierselection process).

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of combinations of spindleamplifiers and servo amplifiers capable of driving selected spindlemotors and servo motors. The example in FIG. 7 indicates that twocandidates have been selected for the spindle amplifier (first SPamplifier), namely “αiSVP 20/20/20-5.5” and “αiSP 5.5”. “αiSVP20/20/20-5.5” indicates that the spindle amplifier has a capacity of 5.5kW, and that three servo amplifiers capable of driving three servomotors having capacities of 20 A are combined. In this manner,information pertaining to spindle amplifiers or servo amplifiers,capable to drive a plurality of spindle axes or servo axes by using oneof the above amplifier, may be included in the database. On the otherhand, “αiSP 5.5” indicates a single spindle amplifier having a capacityof 5.5 kW.

Next, in step S105, the combination creation means 5 create acombination of servo amplifiers corresponding to the necessary amplifiercapacities and numbers, for each selected spindle amplifier (acombination creation process).

As illustrated in FIG. 7, in a case where “αiSVP 20/20/20-5.5” has beenselected as the spindle amplifier, two servo amplifiers, each having acapacity of 40 A, are needed as the servo amplifiers. Accordingly, “βiSV40/40” and “αiSV 40/40” are selected as a first servo amplifier (firstSV amplifier), for example. “40/40” indicates that two servo amplifiers,each having a capacity of 40 A, are combined into a single servoamplifier. Furthermore, “α” and “β” indicate series names of theamplifiers. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 7, a first combination ((1) acombination of “αiSVP 20/20/20-5.5” and “βiSV 40/40”) and a secondcombination ((2) a combination of “αiSVP 20/20/20-5.5” and “αiSV 40/40”)can be selected as the combination of spindle amplifiers and servoamplifiers that drive the system illustrated in FIG. 5.

Furthermore, the single spindle amplifier “αiSP 5.5” can also beselected as the spindle amplifier (the first SP amplifier), for example.In this case, because the spindle amplifier does not include a servoamplifier, it is necessary to further select two servo amplifiers, eachhaving an amplifier capacity of 40 A, and three servo amplifiers, eachhaving an amplifier capacity of 20 A. Thus, the servo amplifier “βiSV40/40” or “αiSV 40/40”, which have an amplifier capacity of 40 A, areselected as the first servo amplifier (the first SV amplifier). In acase where the servo amplifier “βiSV 40/40” has been selected, “αiSV20/20/20”, in which three servo amplifiers are combined, each having anamplifier capacity of 20 A, is selected as a second servo amplifier (asecond SV amplifier), for example. Alternatively, for example, “βiSV20/20”, in which two servo amplifiers are combined, each having anamplifier capacity of 20 A, may be selected as the second servoamplifier (the second SV amplifier), and “βiSV 20”, which is a singleservo amplifier having an amplifier capacity of 20 A, may be selected asa third servo amplifier (a third SV amplifier). In this manner, a thirdcombination ((3) a combination of “αiSP 5.5”, “βiSV 40/40”, and “αiSV20/20/20”) and a fourth combination ((4) a combination of “αiSP 5.5”,“βiSV 40/40”, “βiSV 20/20”, and “βiSV 20”) are created. Althoughcombinations (5) and on, including “αiSP 5.5” and “αiSV 40/40”, can alsobe created, the following will not give detailed descriptions thereof.

In this embodiment, in focusing on the sizes (widths) or costs of theamplifiers as the feature amounts, it is considered appropriate toexclude combinations having too high a number of amplifiers when makingan amplifier selection capable of achieving a reduction in size, powerconsumption or costs. Thus, in a case where there are a plurality ofcombinations of spindle amplifiers and servo amplifiers, it ispreferable that the combination creation means 5 calculate the totalvalue of the number of spindle amplifiers and servo amplifiers in eachcombination as well as the minimum value of that total value, andexclude, from options for selection, combinations in which the totalvalue of the number of spindle amplifiers and servo amplifiers is higherthan the minimum value by greater than or equal to a predeterminednumber. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, the totalvalue of the number of spindle amplifiers and servo amplifiers is two incombinations (1) and (2), three in combination (3), and four incombination (4). The minimum value of the total value is therefore two.In a case where combinations having a number higher than the minimumvalue of the total value by two or more are to be excluded, the totalvalue of combination (4) is four, and thus combination (4) can beexcluded. As a result, the combinations under consideration are narroweddown to (1) to (3). In this manner, excluding combinations in which thetotal number of amplifiers is higher than the minimum value by greaterthan or equal to a predetermined number makes it possible to reduce thetotal number of combination candidates, and thus the optimal amplifierscan be determined quickly.

Next, in step S106, the feature amount extraction means 6 extractinformation pertaining to the feature amount of each created combinationof spindle amplifiers and servo amplifiers by referring to the database(a feature amount extraction process).

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating examples of total widths of theamplifiers calculated for the combinations of spindle amplifiers andservo amplifiers. In the example illustrated in FIG. 8, the featureamount used as a reference for determining amplifiers combinations isthe width of the amplifiers. The database contains data indicating thatthe amplifier width of the spindle amplifier “αiSVP 20/20/20-5.5” is 90mm, the amplifier width of the servo amplifier “βiSV 40/40” is 90 mm,and the amplifier width of the servo amplifier “αiSV 40/40” is 60 mm.Accordingly, the feature amount extraction means 6 refer to thedatabase, and extract information pertaining to the amplifier widths,which are feature amounts, for each of the created combinations (1) to(3) of spindle amplifiers and servo amplifiers. In this case, the totalvalues of the widths of the spindle amplifier (the first SP amplifier),the first servo amplifier (the first SV amplifier), and the second servoamplifier (the second SV amplifier) are 180 mm for combination (1), 150mm for combination (2), and 210 mm for combination (3).

Next, in step S107, the amplifier determination means 7 determine thecombination of spindle amplifiers and servo amplifiers on the basis ofthe extracted information pertaining to the feature amounts (anamplifier determination process).

In a case where the amplifier widths are the feature amounts, thecombination (2) is the combination with the lowest amplifier width, andthus the combination (2) can be determined to be the optimal amplifiercombination. After the feature amounts have been calculated for eachcombination, a list of combinations rearranged in ascending ordescending order according to the feature amount values may be displayedin the display device 30. Alternatively, only the optimal combination,according to the feature amounts, may be displayed in the display device30.

Next, in step S108, the power source capacity calculation means 8calculate the capacity of a main power source necessary for driving themotors and the capacity of a control power source necessary for drivingthe spindle amplifiers and the servo amplifiers by referring to thedatabase (a power source capacity calculation process). The “main powersource” is a three-phase AC power source of 200 V, for example, whereasthe “control power source” is a power source supplied to a controlcircuit controlling a main circuit, and is a DC power source of 24 V,for example.

A method for calculating the capacity of the main power source will bedescribed here. The necessary main power source capacity is calculatedfrom the capacities of the motors that are driven. The capacities of themotors are recorded in the database in advance. A case where “a” numberof servo motors are selected and “b” number of spindle motors areselected will be described. It is assumed from the database that α [W]are needed for each servo motor, and assumed from the database that β[W] are needed for each spindle motor. In this case, the capacity neededfor the main power source is calculated as a×α+b×β [W]. Note that thepower source capacity (power) [W] can be divided by the power factor toconvert the power into an apparent power [VA].

A method for calculating the capacity of the control power source willbe described next. The necessary control power source capacity iscalculated from the capacities of the spindle amplifiers and the servoamplifiers. The capacities of the spindle amplifiers and the servoamplifiers are recorded in the database in advance. A case where “e”number of spindle amplifiers are selected and “f” number of servoamplifiers are selected will be described. It is assumed from thedatabase that γ [W] are needed for each spindle amplifier, and that δ[W] are needed for each servo amplifier. In this case, the capacityneeded for the control power source is calculated as e×γ+f×δ [W].

Next, in step S109, the display control means 9 display the combinationof spindle amplifiers and servo amplifiers selected by the amplifierdetermination means, and the main power source capacity and the controlpower source capacity calculated by the power source capacitycalculation means (a display process). For example, the display controlmeans 9 may display “main power source: *** kVA or more necessary,control power source: *** W or more necessary”, etc., in the displaydevice 30. The display of the main power source capacity and the controlpower source capacity in the display device 30 may be executed inresponse to a command made to the display device 30 from outside thedisplay device 30. For example, a command to display the power sourcecapacity may be inputted to the display control means 9, and the powersource capacity may then be displayed in the display device 30, when anicon, a button, etc., is clicked on the display device 30. Furthermore,the main power source capacity and the control power source capacitycalculated by the power source capacity calculation means 8 may bestored in a storage device such as memory provided within the amplifierselection device 101, or stored in a storage medium, etc., providedoutside the amplifier selection device 101.

The foregoing describes an example in which the spindle amplifiers andservo amplifiers are selected in accordance with the amplifiercapacities necessary for driving the spindle motors or servo motors.However, an amplifier having a greater amplifier capacity than thenecessary amplifier capacity can drive the motor, and a case where thefeature amount focused on is optimal can also be considered. Thus, thecombination creation means 5 may further create a combination of spindleamplifiers or servo amplifiers having amplifier capacities exceeding theamplifier capacities necessary for the selected spindle motors or servomotors.

FIG. 9 illustrates another example of servo motor and spindle motormodels, along with amplifier capacities, selected for each servo axisand spindle axis. Additionally, FIG. 10 is a table illustrating anotherexample of numbers for each of the amplifier capacities of the motorsselected for each servo axis and spindle axis. In the exampleillustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, there is one spindle axis and eight servoaxes. For the spindle motor driving the spindle axis, there is one motorhaving an amplifier capacity of 11 kW, and for the servo motors drivingthe servo axes, there are five motors each having amplifier capacitiesof 20 A and three motors each having amplifier capacities of 40 A.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another example of the total widths ofthe amplifiers calculated for the combinations of spindle amplifiers andservo amplifiers. It is assumed that as a result of the flowchartillustrated in FIG. 3, the combination (A) in FIG. 11 has beendetermined to be the optimal combination among the combinationsconforming to the necessary amplifier capacities illustrated in FIG. 10.It is further assumed that the total amplifier width was 485 mm for thepre-change combination (A). Focusing on the third servo amplifier (thethird SV amplifier), the amplifier “βiSV 20”, which has an amplifiercapacity of 20 A, is selected. Although there are some amplifiers inwhich a plurality of amplifiers can be combined, it is assumed thatneither a “20/20/20” amplifier in which three amplifiers havingamplifier capacities of 20 A are combined, nor a “40/40/20” amplifier inwhich amplifiers having amplifier capacities of 40 A and 20 A are mixedtogether, are present. In such a case, it is examined whether it ispossible to replace the amplifier “βiSV 20”, which has an amplifiercapacity of 20 A and has been selected as the third servo amplifier (thethird SV amplifier), with an amplifier one size larger, i.e., anamplifier “βiSV 40”, which has an amplifier capacity of 40 A, andcombine that amplifier with the other amplifiers. “βiSV 40/40”, in whichtwo amplifiers having amplifier capacities of 40 A are connected andwhich has been selected as the first servo amplifier (the first SVamplifier), is present, and thus an amplifier “βiSV 40” having anamplifier capacity of 40 A can be further connected thereto to replaceas “αiSV 40/40/40”, in which three amplifiers having amplifiercapacities of 40 A are connected. At this time, assuming that the totalwidth of the amplifiers has become 380 mm, as indicated by thepost-change combination (B), it can be seen that the width can bereduced by 105 mm, compared to the total width of 485 mm of theamplifiers in the pre-change combination (A). In this manner, selectingan amplifier having an amplifier capacity exceeding the necessaryamplifier capacity makes it possible to further reduce the amplifierwidth, and thus a more optimal amplifier combination may be selected.

Next, an amplifier selection device according to a second embodimentwill be described. FIG. 12 is a function block diagram illustrating theamplifier selection device according to the second embodiment. Theamplifier selection device 102 according to the second embodimentdiffers from the amplifier selection device 101 according to the firstembodiment in that the feature amount includes at least one of the size,the consumed power, and the cost of the spindle amplifiers and the servoamplifiers, and that the amplifier selection device 102 further includesfeature amount selection means 10 that select a feature amount. Otherconfigurations of the amplifier selection device 102 according to thesecond embodiment are similar to those of the amplifier selection device101 according to the first embodiment, detailed descriptions thereofwill be omitted.

The feature amount selection means 10 may cause a list of featureamounts to be displayed in the display device 30, so that one or morefeature amounts may cause to be selected from the list of featureamounts displayed. In a case where a plurality of feature amounts are tobe selected, a priority order may be assigned to the selected featureamounts. Note that the feature amount selection means 10 are realized bythe computation device 11 illustrated in FIG. 1.

In a case where the size (the amplifier width) has been selected as thefeature amount, an amplifier combination in which the size is minimumcan be selected, as with the amplifier selection device according to thefirst embodiment. In a case where the consumed power has been selectedas the feature amount, an amplifier combination in which the consumedpower is minimum can be selected. Furthermore, in a case where the sizeand the consumed power have been selected as feature amounts, first, theamplifiers having the smallest sizes may be selected, and in a casewhere there are multiple combinations of such amplifiers, the amplifiershaving the lowest consumed power may be selected from among thosecombinations. Alternatively, in a case where the consumed power and thesize have been selected as feature amounts, first, the amplifiers havingthe lowest consumed power may be selected, and in a case where there aremultiple combinations of such amplifiers, the amplifiers having thesmallest sizes may be selected from among those combinations.

Although the foregoing describes an example in which the widths of theamplifiers are used as the feature amounts, the feature amounts are notlimited thereto, and may be set to other values such as the powerconsumed by the amplifiers, the costs of the amplifiers, etc.

By providing the feature amount selection means 10 that select thefeature amount as in the amplifier selection device according to thesecond embodiment, the optimal amplifiers can be selected in accordancewith the application of the device.

The foregoing describes embodiments in which the servo amplifiers andspindle amplifiers include a plurality of series having model namesstarting with “α” or “β”, which are mixed together to determine theoptimal amplifier combination. However, in a case where the plurality ofspindle amplifiers and servo amplifiers contained in the database areclassified into a plurality of series, the optimal combination may bedetermined on a series-by-series basis. In other words, a combinationmay be determined using only amplifiers having model names starting with“α”, or using only amplifiers having model names starting with “β”, asthe servo amplifiers and the spindle amplifiers. This makes it possibleto select amplifiers on a series-by-series basis, which makes itpossible to determine a combination of amplifiers utilizing featurescommon throughout the series.

With the amplifier selection device, amplifier selection method, andcomputer-readable storage medium according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure, optimal amplifiers can be easily and quickly selected fromamong many types of amplifiers.

What is claimed is:
 1. An amplifier selection device, comprising: amotor model storage means configured to store a database containing aplurality of motor models expressing types of motors including servomotors and spindle motors along with information pertaining to anamplifier capacity and a feature amount for each of the motor models; amotor model information obtainment means configured to obtaininformation pertaining to the motor models selected for each of thespindle motors and the servo motors that drive respective spindle axes;an amplifier number calculation means configured to calculate necessarynumbers of each spindle amplifier and servo amplifier for each amplifiercapacity by referring to the database and extracting informationpertaining to the amplifier capacities of the selected motor models; aspindle amplifier selection means configured to select spindleamplifiers to drive the spindle motors on the basis of the amplifiercapacities and number of spindle motors; a combination creation meansconfigured to create a combination of servo amplifiers corresponding tothe necessary amplifier capacities and numbers, for each selectedspindle amplifier; a feature amount extraction means configured toextract information pertaining to a feature amount of each createdcombination of spindle amplifiers and servo amplifiers by referring tothe database; an amplifier determination means configured to determine acombination of spindle amplifiers and servo amplifiers on a basis of theextracted information pertaining to the feature amounts; a power sourcecapacity calculation means configured to calculate a capacity of a mainpower source necessary for driving the motors and a capacity of acontrol power source necessary for driving the spindle amplifiers andthe servo amplifiers by referring to the database; and a display controlmeans configured to display the combination of spindle amplifiers andservo amplifiers selected by the amplifier determination means, anddisplay the main power source capacity and the control power sourcecapacity calculated by the power source capacity calculation means. 2.The amplifier selection device according to claim 1, wherein thedatabase contains information pertaining to a spindle amplifier and aservo amplifier configured to drive a plurality of spindle axes andservo axes by using one of the above amplifier.
 3. The amplifierselection device according to claim 1, wherein the combination creationmeans is configured to: calculate, in the case where a plurality ofcombinations of spindle amplifiers and servo amplifiers are present, atotal value of the number of spindle amplifiers and servo amplifiers ineach combination as well as a minimum value of the total value; andexclude, from options for selection, combinations in which the totalvalue of the number of spindle amplifiers and servo amplifiers is higherthan the minimum value by greater than or equal to a predeterminednumber.
 4. The amplifier selection device according to claim 1, whereinthe combination creation means is further configured to create thecombination of spindle amplifiers or servo amplifiers having amplifiercapacities exceeding the amplifier capacities necessary for the selectedspindle motors or servo motors.
 5. The amplifier selection deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein in the case where the plurality of spindleamplifiers and servo amplifiers contained in the database are classifiedinto a plurality of series, a combination is determined for each series.6. The amplifier selection device according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a feature amount selection means configured to select thefeature amount on the basis of the amplifier capacities and number ofspindle motors, wherein the feature amount includes at least one of asize, a consumed power, and a cost of the spindle amplifiers and theservo amplifiers.
 7. An amplifier selection method, comprising:preparing a database containing a plurality of motor models expressingtypes of motors including servo motors and spindle motors along withinformation pertaining to an amplifier capacity and a feature amount foreach of the motor models; obtaining information pertaining to the motormodels selected for the spindle motors and the servo motors that driverespective spindle axes and servo axes; calculating necessary numbers ofspindle amplifiers and servo amplifiers for each amplifier capacity byreferring to the database and extracting information pertaining to theamplifier capacities of the selected motor models; selecting spindleamplifiers to drive the spindle motors on the basis of the amplifiercapacities and number of spindle motors; creating a combination ofspindle amplifiers and servo amplifiers corresponding to the necessaryamplifier capacities and numbers, for each selected spindle amplifier;extracting information pertaining to a feature amount of each createdcombination of spindle amplifiers and servo amplifiers by referring tothe database; determining a combination of spindle amplifiers and servoamplifiers on a basis of the extracted information pertaining to thefeature amounts; calculating a capacity of a main power source necessaryfor driving the motors and a capacity of a control power sourcenecessary for driving the spindle amplifiers and the servo amplifiers byreferring to the database; and displaying the selected combination ofspindle amplifiers and servo amplifiers, and displaying the calculatedmain power source capacity and control power source capacity.
 8. Theamplifier selection method according to claim 7, wherein the databasecontains information pertaining to a spindle amplifier and a servoamplifier configured to drive a plurality of spindle axes and servo axesby using one of the above amplifier.
 9. The amplifier selection methodaccording to claim 7, wherein in the creating a combination of spindleamplifiers and servo amplifiers, in the case where a plurality ofcombinations of spindle amplifiers and servo amplifiers are present, atotal value of the number of spindle amplifiers and servo amplifiers ineach combination as well as a minimum value of the total value arecalculated; and combinations in which the total value of the number ofspindle amplifiers and servo amplifiers is higher than the minimum valueby greater than or equal to a predetermined number are excluded fromoptions for selection.
 10. The amplifier selection method according toclaim 7, wherein in the creating the combination of spindle amplifiersand servo amplifiers, a combination of spindle amplifiers or servoamplifiers having amplifier capacities exceeding the amplifiercapacities necessary for the selected spindle motors or servo motors isfurther created.
 11. The amplifier selection method according to claim7, wherein in the case where the plurality of spindle amplifiers andservo amplifiers contained in the database are classified into aplurality of series, a combination is determined for each series. 12.The amplifier selection method according to claim 7, further comprising:selecting the feature amount on the basis of the amplifier capacitiesand number of spindle motors, wherein the feature amount includes atleast one of a size, a consumed power, and a cost of the spindleamplifiers and the servo amplifiers.
 13. A computer-readable storagemedium that stores an amplifier selection program causing a computer toexecute: a motor model storage process for storing a database containinga plurality of motor models expressing types of motors including servomotors and spindle motors along with information pertaining to anamplifier capacity and a feature amount for each of the motor models; amotor model information obtainment process for obtaining informationpertaining to the motor models selected for the spindle motors and theservo motors that drive respective spindle axes and servo axes; anamplifier number calculation process for calculating necessary numbersof spindle amplifiers and servo amplifiers for each amplifier capacityby referring to the database and extracting information pertaining tothe amplifier capacities of the selected motor models; a spindleamplifier selection process for selecting spindle amplifiers to drivethe spindle motors on a basis of the amplifier capacities and number ofspindle motors; a combination creation process for creating acombination of servo amplifiers corresponding to the necessary amplifiercapacities and numbers, for each selected spindle amplifier; a featureamount extraction process for extracting information pertaining to afeature amount of each created combination of spindle amplifiers andservo amplifiers by referring to the database; an amplifierdetermination process for determining a combination of spindleamplifiers and servo amplifiers on a basis of the extracted informationpertaining to the feature amounts; a power source capacity calculationprocess for calculating a capacity of a main power source necessary fordriving the motors and a capacity of a control power source necessaryfor driving the spindle amplifiers and the servo amplifiers by referringto the database; and a display process for displaying the selectedcombination of spindle amplifiers and servo amplifiers, and displayingthe calculated main power source capacity and control power sourcecapacity.
 14. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim13, wherein the database contains information pertaining to a spindleamplifier and a servo amplifier configured to drive a plurality ofspindle axes and servo axes by using one of the above amplifier.
 15. Thecomputer-readable storage medium according to claim 13, wherein thecombination creation process further includes: a process forcalculating, in the case where a plurality of combinations of spindleamplifiers and servo amplifiers are present, a total value of the numberof spindle amplifiers and servo amplifiers in each combination as wellas a minimum value of the total value; and a process for excluding, fromoptions for selection, combinations in which the total value of thenumber of spindle amplifiers and servo amplifiers is higher than theminimum value by greater than or equal to a predetermined number. 16.The computer-readable storage medium according to claim 13, wherein thecombination creation process includes a process for creating thecombination of spindle amplifiers or servo amplifiers having amplifiercapacities exceeding the amplifier capacities necessary for the selectedspindle motors or servo motors.
 17. The computer-readable storage mediumaccording to claim 13, wherein in the case where the plurality ofspindle amplifiers and servo amplifiers contained in the database areclassified into a plurality of series, a combination is determined foreach series.
 18. The computer-readable storage medium according to claim13, the amplifier selection program further causing the computer toexecute a feature amount selection process for selecting the featureamount on the basis of the amplifier capacities and number of spindlemotors, wherein the feature amount includes at least one of a size, aconsumed power, and a cost of the spindle amplifiers and the servoamplifiers.
 19. The amplifier selection device according to claim 1,further comprising: a feature amount selection means configured toselect a plurality of feature amounts, wherein a priority order isassigned to the selected feature amounts.
 20. The amplifier selectionmethod according to claim 7, further comprising: selecting a pluralityof feature amounts; and assigning a priority order to the selectedfeature amounts.